Multiple Sights

[dleeharrison]

New member and M&P 15-22 owner here. Yesterday, was the first day that I run 300 plus rounds through my rifle - great rifle and no problems whatsoever. Extremely accurate and no feed problems.

My rifle is equipped with Magpul flip up sights. I have viewed other rifles and I have noticed that some rifles are equipped with both fixed or flip up sights along with either red dot or reflex sights. Simple question - can you have and use both types of sights (red dot or reflex) and iron sights? I am looking at reflex sights but I like and use the flip up sights on the rifle.

 

[E6type]

Yes. the flip up sights are referred to as BUIS or Back Up Iron Sights. They are made to be folded down as not to interfere with other mounted optics that are being used as the primary sight. If your battery dies or something happens to the zero, you can simply flip up your back up sights to make the shot. Some people use them both in conjunction as well, that is all preference.

 

[chuck s]

No, you can NOT have both types of sights on the rifle at the same time!

IGNORE THESE PHOTOS, they don't exist!

Just get the so-called co-witness rings. Flip sights are not necessary with red dot sights.

-- Chuck

 

[Timman]

When it's just you and your weapon, in a one on one with the Tali-Cans or the Tali-Targets, you must always be prepared. Plus it looks cool, and with these rifles, it's all about looking cool and making holes.

That is all. Ooh-Rah!!!

 

[cazador505]

I agree with Timman, I have flip ups and a red\green dot and have used both. I took my brother in law to a spot in the high desert a month ago for some rabbit hunting and we were out so long the battery on the dot sight began to diminish, Finally I shut it off and flipped up the sights and we got a couple more on the way back to the truck. Made a helluva stew.

Semper FI Timman

 

[Scuds03]

You can setup your sights so that a Red-Dot type sight an co-whitness with your iron sights. The red dot will rest right at the tip of your front sight. When you aim with both eyes open you just put the dot on your target and fire away. Here is a pic which is a good example, if the dot were turned on it would be right at the tip of the post.

This is not my picture, it is a pic which RUSTPOT posted in another thread so he geats the credit for it. If it helps you out, PM him a thank you!

 

[Rustpot]

Thanks for the credit Scuds- I decided to take some more pictures instead of saying "if only the dot was turned on" every time I post that image though.

These are insomnia driven and hurried with no real focus done, but they get the point across with some help from a Pavel Datsyuk figure.

Basically I'm showing the various methods to use the sights in;

Rear sight down, front sight either down or ignored. Ignored in this case so there's one less action to get the iron sights working. You can have your head in a tight cheekweld or slightly off the stock and if your sight is parallax-free like Aimpoints and (good) clones the dot is on zero. Common sight picture when a fixed front sight is used.

Both sights up, looking over the irons. Use this for fixed sights as well. Once again doesn't require a tight cheek weld and opens the peripheral vision. This is also why I prefer a "lower 1/3" cowitness so that the dot is more or less centered when looking over the iron sights.

Looking through the rear at the dot. I wouldn't use this method unless your iron sights don't share a zero with the optic, or if the dot comes off zero and is no longer suitable for use at range.

And finally using the iron sights with the dot turned off, pictured in Scuds' post. Used when you want to use your iron sights for contrast, precision, or when your optic has failed (dead battery, damaged, etc).